HC Deb 14 December 1984 vol 69 cc637-9W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent deployments of the Metropolitan police in connection with the miners' strike.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The chief officers of the aided forces are responsible for the deployment of officers provided under the mutual aid arrangements.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the cumulative numbers of police officers who have been involved in activities associated with the current miners' strike; and if he will list the figure as a proportion of the total police force.

Mr. Giles Shaw

This information is not available centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest available figures for the numbers of persons charged with offences relating to picketing during the miners' dispute, the numbers of persons against whom proceedings have been taken, the numbers of persons convicted, and, in each case, the offences with which persons have been charged.

Mr. Giles Shaw

In the period from 13 March to 11 December inclusive, 7,314 people were charged with offences in connection with the miners' dispute. Of those, 3,903 cases were dealt with by the courts during the same period, 3,040 of which resulted in convictions. The information available centrally about the offences for which charges were brought during this period is as follows:

Offence Number of charges
Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1936 (conduct conducive to a breach of the peace) 3,801
Obstructing a police constable 1,616
Obstruction of the highway 619
Criminal damage 906
Criminal damage with intent to endanger life 4
Arson 15
Assaulting a police constable 312
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm 348
Assault occasioning grievous bodily harm 37
Theft 197
Resisting arrest 18
Offensive weapons 47
Section 7 of the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875 (intimidation) 270
Burglary 29
Handling stolen property 1
Drug offence 1
Breach of the peace 168
Breach of bail conditions 30
Attempt (various offences) 18
Drunkenness 59
Unlawful assembly 509
Offence Number of charges
Railway offences 18
Affray 21
Riot 137
Incitement 1
Reckless driving 15
Threats/conspiracy to cause damage 12
Explosives offence 3
Threats to kill 3
Unlawful imprisonment 2
Other offences 205
Total 9,422

The number of charges is higher than the number of people charged because some people were charged with more than one offence.

Information about the offences of which persons were convicted is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate expense.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the range of fines imposed upon persons convicted of offences related to activities during the miners' dispute for (a) breach of the peace, (b) vandalism and (c) reckless conduct in all cases where these have been first offences.

Mr. Giles Shaw

This information is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Between 13 March and 11 December inclusive. a total of 1,937 fines were imposed following convictions for offences committed in connection with the miners' dispute. The range of fines was as follows:

Number
Under £10 6
£10-£24 151
£25-£49 292
£50-£74 360
£75-£99 483
£100-£149 391
£150-£199 88
£200 and above 166

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been made against the police in relation to activities during the course of the miners's dispute; and how many complaints have been upheld.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I shall reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many miners, charged with offences related to picketing during the miners' dispute, have (a) been refused bail and (b) had bail conditions imposed upon them which prevent them from visiting any premises or place for the purpose of picketing or demonstrating in connection with the current trade dispute other than peacefully to picket or demonstrate at their usual place of employment.

Mr. Mellor

The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his latest estimate of the cost of policing during the miners' dispute; and what is his estimate of the cost for each police authority area.

Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the actual or estimated cost to date of policing the dispute between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Mr. Giles Shaw

We are not keeping a running total of the costs. For the purpose of the winter Supplementary Estimate for Class IX Vote 6, presented to the House on 20 November, we have estimated that the additional expenditure up to the end of October would be about £140 million. We have made no estimate of the costs in each police area. The Home Office has so far paid to police authorities in England and Wales advances of police grant and of the special payment which my right hon. and learned Friend is making available on expenditure totalling £103 million.